MANILA, Philippines -- Civil society groups have complained that the draft implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act No. 9502, or the Cheaper Medicines Law, appear to not fully reflect the core provisions of the landmark legislation.

The groups, Cut the Cost Cut the Pain Network (3CPNet), Oxfam and Ayos na Gamot sa Abot Kayang Presyo (AGAP, Proper Medicines at Affordable Prices) said the draft IRR do not contain rules on "parallel importation," which would allow the government and private groups to import patented medicines from countries where they are sold cheaper.

They said the draft also did not specify how local generic drug manufacturers could make use of the "early working principle" that would allow them to begin developing medicines even before their patents expire.

RA 9502, or the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008, was signed into law in June after years in the legislative mill.

The law seeks to bring down the prices of medicine by encouraging more competition in the local market mainly through the parallel importation of cheaper quality drugs.

The Department of Health and Intellectual Property Office have ended public consultations and are expected to issue the IRR on November 4.